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what do you want to be called?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Tom Bryant, Dec 27, 2009.

  1. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    I know this is like asking the tide not to come in, but I hope that one side of the issue would not answer for the other, but let me ask each side a question:
    For those who are "calvinists": What name would you use to describe your position?

    For those who are not Calvinists, is there a name you would use to describe what you believe?

    I am asking this because it seems a first step in discussing these issues would be for each side to quit labeling the other.
     
  2. John Toppass

    John Toppass Active Member
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    I hope that people can see that I can be called a Christian.
     
  3. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
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    I personally don't take offense at being called Calvinist as far as TULIP is concerned. I believe in God's Sovereign Grace, but 'Sovereign Gracer' doesn't sound just right.

    Monergist would probably be as good as any handle out there.
     
  4. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    To be labeled a Calvinist is an honor to me.
     
  5. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
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    Aaron, you are right. It IS an honor to be labeled a Calvinist. Never mind the nuances.
     
  6. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    :thumbs::thumbs:
     
  7. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    I would conisder myself a historical general baptist in my theology.

    While I more reformed than not I believe too much that the Bible teaches freedom of the will to get into the determinism part.
     
  8. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    As a Baptist Calvinist, I don't have a problem with that label, or with being labeled Reformed. I do have a problem with people mis-labeling what I believe.

    Baptist Calvinists are not Presbyterian Calvinists. Nor are we Reformed Presbyterians or Lutherans.

    That's why I don't label Baptist non-Calvinists as Arminians. Semi-pelagian, maybe, but not Arminian. Arminians believe one can lose his salvation. Most Baptists don't (except the Generals and the Free-Wills).

    It is most helpful to the discussion when one has a correct understanding of what his opponent's label actually means. One should not reveal his ignorance by mis-characterizing an opposing view.
     
  9. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Generally labelled Jim, but known as a baptist of the calvinist persuasion. That will do.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  10. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    I agree. That's why I wanted to ask.

    Both sides take a phrase of the other and magnify it to the point of absurdity.
     
  11. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    I'll drink to that (sips diet Sprite).
     
  12. Jon-Marc

    Jon-Marc New Member

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    I'm not Calvinist and am called a Christian. I have been called other names I won't repeat. :laugh::laugh:
     
  13. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Could I add one more thing that bothers me?

    Please do not insult me by calling yourself a "Biblicist." It smacks of smugness and arrogance because it suggests that you are and I'm not. We Baptists are all Biblicists.

    And, we are all Christians. It adds nothing to the debate or discussion to say, "Well, I'm just a Christian."
     
  14. pinoybaptist

    pinoybaptist Active Member
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    Actually it is not the labeling that fuels a lot of animosities and such, it is the insinuations, at this time by non-Calvinists, that Calvinists are either "loose in the head", downright heretics, blasphemers, or naive and stupid to believe in such doctrines.
    Just take a look at the posts in the threads.
    I for one would like to see a civil and objective discussion, but if someone starts swinging a "bat", hey, I'm all for it.
     
  15. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
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    Thank you. What's the problem with stating or deciding what side of the fence you're on? It's either man cooperates with God in the new birth or God doesn't require man's cooperation in the new birth. Are you 'Free Willer' or 'Sovereign Gracer'? Arminian or Calvinist? Synergist or Monergist? What do you want to be called? It is a pertinent question.
     
  16. MrJim

    MrJim New Member

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    While I go to an American Baptist church we've been visiting the Southern Baptist church in town. They've finally nailed down a new pastor. One of the requirements was that he was NOT Calvinist...and as a former Calvinist that has my

    [​IMG]

    Christian, believer, disciple~~any of these is enough for me..otherwise we fall into "I am of Paul/Apollos/Luther/Calvin" [edit]..but enjoy your CalvinISM, it was fun for me while it lasted though I wish I had those 10 years back.
     
    #16 MrJim, Dec 27, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 27, 2009
  17. zrs6v4

    zrs6v4 Member

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    Unless I am mistaken the point of this thread isnt to baptized into any other name than Christ, which should be obvious. But I think he is bringing out the obvious that everyone's theology can have some sort of basic set of beliefs that have been "named/labelled" in the past. In other words, everyone's views arent new and can be labeled. The point of saying "I am a Calvinist" or "I am an Arminian" is to save hours of pointless debate that could be summed up by saying my views are similar or the same as ...... If you have a set of views and do not realize that they are historically summed up by a particular label, I think it is wise to be open to looking into the label you have been given rather than to take offense.

    With that said, I would consider myself a Calvinist because my views are very similar to those who are "Calvinists".
     
    #17 zrs6v4, Dec 28, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 28, 2009
  18. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Yep, I think we're all looking for some sort of one-word shorthand to describe ourselves. Even though each word may have some subtle variations in definition, we get the general idea.

    We have 40-leven kinds of Baptists these days, but if I say I'm Baptist, most people will know something of what I believe.

    Some of our descriptions are and have been used as epithets. Remember, we did not adopt the name Baptist. It was given to us by those who wanted us dead. They intensely disliked those...those...those...Baptists!

    Sorta like the opponents of Calvinism and Landmarkism today.

    Although, I will say I've never had anybody refer to me as "you...you..you..Monergist!"
     
  19. Allan

    Allan Active Member

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    Now dat's funny right d'air :laugh:
     
  20. ReformedBaptist

    ReformedBaptist Well-Known Member

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    For those new to the debate, the above response is an example of the stupidity often displayed in the debate/discussion.

    I am fine with any label, as long as the meaning is understood. When discussion Calvinism with folks in the past both on boards like these and in person, to say I was a Calvinist meant to that person what most of us understand to be hyper-calvinism. If memory serves me correctly, John R. Rice was pretty bad at distinguishing between Calvinism and Hyper-Calvinism.

    I have been called certain labels meant to be negative which are:

    1. Baptist
    2. Bible-believer

    When it comes to the Calvinism/Arminian debate I have no problem with being called a Calvinist or Historic Calvinist as long as the meaning of the terms are defined and agreed upon.

    I won't debate with someone who insists that accepting such a lable means I am a follower of John Calvin instead of Christ. It is such and ignorant and stupid position that I won't even bother with it anymore.
     
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